Voters' Register row: EC turns down NDC's forensic audit request

Accra, Ghana - The Electoral Commission (EC) has turned down a request by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a forensic audit of the voters' register, sparking tensions ahead of the upcoming elections.

The NDC's Director of Elections, Dr. Omane Boamah, revealed the EC's decision after an emergency meeting in Accra on Friday.

The meeting was called by the NDC to address concerns over alleged widespread discrepancies in the register discovered during the recent exhibition exercise.

The NDC had sought a thorough forensic audit to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, but the EC's refusal has raised questions about the commission's commitment to transparency and fairness.

In a statement to journalists, Dr. Boamah commented, “We believe that the same entity that created the problem should not be the one to resolve it. This is why we have referral systems in the healthcare sector.”

“The EC must agree if the EC has nothing to hide and we don’t want to believe they have anything to hide. The EC must agree to an independent body to audit this. It has happened before. And let me speak on authority that the UNDP is ready and willing to provide the support only if the electoral commission will write to request for this support.”

“This is not the first time I have suggested this at IPAC, about two months ago, I suggested this, and the electoral commission will not budge. Look, development partners are interested in chipping in here and there for such an audit to take place.

“It is obvious, abundantly obvious, that the NDC has the capacity to assist. And we are saying that you can bring experts from the various political parties.”

“…They have not accepted the independent forensic audit, expectedly. It’s not all doctors who readily refer. It’s not all workers who readily when issues are above them, refer. Some of them wait until bridges collapse. Some of them wait until patients are even on the verge of dying before they push them.

“You would have loved that the electoral commission accepted this. Unfortunately, the Electoral Commission did not. However, it doesn’t take away the fact that a forensic audit is what it will take to assure Ghanaians because we have listed these problems,” stated.

Source: Lead News Online